I often get asked what’s is like raising a child in NYC and before we became parents, people were shocked when we said we didn’t plan to move when we start a family. I get it; NYC can be an intimidating place and many people DO move once they have a baby or two. If I’m truly honest, parenting in NYC is NOT easy, but on the flip side, I don’t have anything to compare it to because I’ve only been a parent here and nowhere else.

With that being said, parenting in NYC is…

Magical.

Magical like…

It’s like going to the playground at your local park, which happens to be Prospect Park, one of the biggest in Brooklyn, frequently featured in movies and is on TV regularly. It is the definition of magical.

It’s like having a cup of hot coffee on a beautiful fall day at your local playground and as your toddler runs around, you catch yourself exchanging tired, but happy smiles with the other parents. We understand each other- words aren’t needed.

It’s like stepping into the Atlantic Ocean on weekends on a blistering (and often smelly) summer day, surrounded by the squeals of children (and seagulls above) and adults joyfully escaping the heat. You can HEAR the joy of NYC at any of our beaches. Can’t forget about beach food and drinks. Oh no, cannot forget about that. Hotdog? You got it. Fries? Yup. Artisanal, gluten free, vegan burger? Sure! Lobster roll? Obviously. And yeah, tacos.

It’s like strolling through Central Park, arguably the worlds most famous park, in search of playgrounds that you know are there, but have never needed to visit pre-child. But now you sit there, as your child runs around, his laughter being picked up and amplified by the the wave of joy from all the other kids running with him.

It’s like going to a different restaurant each week (or day) and ordering food from around the world- for the toddler too. He’s a pro when it comes to slurping ramen and eating Pad Thai (hold the chopsticks- fingers will do). Kids menu? Not needed here.

It’s like being on the subway and using your stroller to secure square footage because it’s packed like a sardine can. Destination? Citi Field because someone has his first Mets game to catch at the age of 4 months.

It’s like going to your favorite coffee shop- and all New Yorkers have one- grabbing a oat latte and aimlessly waking through Soho, passing celebrities on the street, but who cares about them; they’re just regular people here.

It’s like taking your baby to the real, live version of The Night at The Museum, knowing he’s too young to fully understand what he’s seeing, but still being humbled by the fact this is your home, your backyard, your city. Though the sleepover is a fragment of Hollywood’s imagination, the feelings of wonder, mystery and yes, magic, are all there.

It’s like having your child crawl, walk, run around Brooklyn Library, Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, Rockefeller Plaza, streets of Soho and the amazing pebble stones of Dumbo. To the world, these spots are their dream destinations. To our child- it’s home.

It’s like your baby having his first slice of pizza- but it isn’t any pizza. It’s a slice of NYC pizza. If you know, you know.

It’s like being 100% exhausted from the non stop “go go go” Monday-Friday, but sitting back and watching your toddler eat a proper Brooklyn bagel (Bagel Pub, everything bagel slightly toasted, with lox scallion cream cheese). Pretty soon, he’ll be stealing that iced coffee too- hold the almond milk, he’s allergic.

It’s like… so many things that I still pinch myself over because I can’t believe this is my life.

Yes, it IS difficult. I will certainly share the many struggles and trials that we’ve encountered as parents in future posts. But we knew that when we signed up for this. And yet, we did it anyways. On the most difficult day as a NYC parent, I will still smile and think “magic.”